The impact of maternal thyroid deficiency on the neuropsychologic development of the fetus / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Recently, more and more attention have been paid to the impact of maternal thyroid hormones on neuropsychologic development of offspring. In the first 20 weeks of gestation, neuropsychologic development of the fetus is mostly dependent on thyroxine from the mother. Limited epidemiological data showed that full-scale WISC IQs averaged 7 points lower among children born to mothers with undiagnosed thyroid deficiency during pregnancy, in comparison with control children. The main cause of subclinical maternal hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis. Data from basic studies have confirmed the impacts of maternal thyroid hormones on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of offspring. In a Chinese female population, the positive rate of thyroid autoantibodies was 11.0%, and the prevalence of postpartum thyroiditis was 11.9%. Hence, it is necessary to set up a screening schedule for subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmne thyroiditis in pregnant women, which is of great value for the health of both women and children.